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AA Bakery & Cafe
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
AA Bakery & Cafe
8.1
Long-running Chinatown bakery-cafe known for a wide pastry case and steady fry work on Chinese-style donuts and sweets. You can grab coffee and a couple of warm, crisp items and be on your way in minutes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sai Yong (Sugar Egg Puffs), Sesame Donut Balls, Chinese Donut (Youtiao)
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: One-stop pastry counter with reliably fresh fried sweets.
Who should go: Grab-and-go pastry hunters
When to visit: Morning hours for peak freshness and selection
What to order: Egg puffs; sesame balls; youtiao
Insider tip: Bring cash for faster checkout and occasional card minimums.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Stockton or Clay is limited and metered; best bet is Portsmouth Square Garage a block away.
Dress code: Casual—come as you are; most customers are locals grabbing pastries or coffee.
Noise level: Low to moderate—morning chatter and fryer hum, but easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—closes before dinner hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; brief lines during morning rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—many pastries and fried items contain no meat.
Vegan options: Limited—some sweets may qualify but ingredients vary; check case labels.
Gluten-free options: No—most items are wheat-based with shared prep surfaces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s more of a grab-and-go bakery than a sit-down setting; better for a casual shared snack on a Chinatown stroll.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—tables are first-come and typically available except during peak morning hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families frequent the cafe for sweets and quick snacks, but seating is limited and tight for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Fresher fried pastries and wider variety than most Chinatown bakeries, plus the convenience of coffee service.
Skip if: You’re looking for artisanal donuts or a leisurely cafe experience—this is a fast, no-frills local spot.
AA Bakery & Cafe
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Sweet Treats Escapes
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Chinatown bakery with an extensive case of Cantonese pastries plus hot dim sum staples for takeout. It’s a quick stop for egg tarts, buns, and savory bites when you want a light dim sum fix.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg tart, Baked BBQ pork bun, Ham sui gok
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Bakery-first spot with legit dim sum snacks at low prices.
Who should go: Pastry lovers wanting a dim sum nibble
When to visit: Early morning for the freshest bakes
What to order: Egg tart, baked pork bun, ham sui gok
Insider tip: Lines spike on weekends—weekday mornings offer the best selection.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited availability in Chinatown and often metered. Closest garages are Portsmouth Square Garage and St. Mary’s Square Garage, both a short walk away.
Dress code: Casual; everyday wear is perfectly fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate – it’s a bakery with some seating, so conversations are easy but there’s steady foot traffic.
Weekend wait: Not applicable – primarily a daytime bakery and cafe.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, though the pastry case may sell out of favorites quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several options like egg tarts, plain buns, sesame balls, and sweet pastries.
Vegan options: Limited – some plain buns or sweet breads may qualify, but most items contain egg or dairy.
Gluten-free options: No – most offerings are wheat-based pastries and dim sum items.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal – it’s more of a quick-stop bakery than a sit-down date spot. Better for grabbing a pastry together on a casual stroll.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes – reservations aren’t taken here. Seating is limited and casual, but most people do takeaway.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes – kids tend to enjoy the sweet pastries and baked buns. Seating is limited, but it works well for a quick stop with children.
Best For
Better for: Quick, affordable Cantonese pastries and light dim sum snacks on the go.
Skip if: You’re looking for a full-service dim sum meal or more extensive vegetarian/vegan choices.
AA Bakery & Cafe
7.7
Chinatown bakery opening early with a broad case of Cantonese pastries and hot items for a quick, inexpensive breakfast. Steady flow and constant turnover keep egg tarts and buns coming out fresh.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg tart (dan tat), Pineapple bun, Chicken pie
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Early-opening bakery with constant pastry turnover and low prices.
Who should go: Budget breakfast hunters and pastry fans
When to visit: Arrive before 9am for warm trays and best selection
What to order: Egg tart; pineapple bun; chicken pie
Insider tip: Pair a warm pastry with Hong Kong-style milk tea.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in Chinatown is very limited; closest paid garages are Portsmouth Square Garage and St. Mary’s Square Garage within a 5-minute walk.
Dress code: Casual — everyday attire is fine; many stop in while running errands.
Noise level: Moderate during peak morning rush; quieter mid-morning.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — bakery closes by late afternoon.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; expect quick in-and-out service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple pastry options (egg tarts, custard buns, pineapple buns) are meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — most items use dairy or eggs; a few plain buns may qualify.
Gluten-free options: No — pastries and savory items are wheat-based with no gluten-free alternatives.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s a quick-service bakery with limited seating. Better for casual meetups or grabbing pastries to-go.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — reservations are not taken. A few tables are first-come, first-served, but many customers take food to-go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — pastries and buns are easy for kids to enjoy, though seating is minimal and high chairs are not provided.
Best For
Better for: Fresh, inexpensive Cantonese pastries turned over constantly throughout the morning.
Skip if: You need gluten-free options, a sit-down brunch, or a quiet space to linger.